KOCHI: The first time you hear Indira’s rich, lilting voice, you are struck by its dexterity. There is immense talent on display as she renders a mellifluous semi-classical number, ‘Dekhte Hi Dekhte’. The effect is magical, as Indira’s high-pitched, sensuous voice hits some incredibly melodic notes.The singer, who recently performed at JT Pac, Kochi, has been active on the Hindustani classical circuit for over 20 years now. She started young, as both her parents were into music. “My mother was into Bharatnatyam, the Thanjavur style. My father was a musician and played the sitar and sarod. Everyone thought I would take to dance, and for a while that was how it was. But then I was also a good singer. I won many prizes at school and college,” says the songstress who has been performing thumris, ghazals and sufi numbers on various world stages.Indira says she always had an inclination for Hindustani classical music. “It was a natural course. It interested me, and I thought it suited my voice.”Yet, she didn’t take up pure classical music to perform. “Classical singing is difficult. Either you reach the top, or you are nowhere. Hence, I opted for light music. Also, sufi poetry was something I liked. The power of love that it spoke about appealed to my temperament,” says the singer, who married a Malayali. The couple now stays in Mumbai.Indira composes her songs too. Explaining sufi music, she says. “Sufi music is essentially sufi poetry. Singers use the poetry penned by greats like Amir Khusrau and Kabir, and then compose the music themselves. This they do depending on their own individual style and range. For example, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan would have composed and sung to the same poem that I or others may have also used. Even sufi songs like ‘Dum-a-dum-mast-qalandar’, which is an iconic number, can be tweaked and embellished in the antaras.”Though personally Indira is happy to be touring different countries and performing solo more actively than ever, she believes that the Hindustani classical scene has its challenges. “That’s because the audience’s capacity to listen has gone down drastically. Except say in Bengal and Tamil Nadu, where traditional music is revered, everywhere else the quality of listeners has plummeted. No one seems to have the time or patience,” says the singer.This has also had an effect on the length of performances. “Earlier the audience could appreciate a two-hour singing rendition. They had the knowledge for it, and would look forward to seeing how a singer came up with different permutations and combinations for the same raag.”Yet, Indira is the kind of live-wire performer, whose intent is always to entertain her listeners. “But I also want them to remember my compositions and the experience as a whole,” she says.The singer’s lush, heart-felt singing is always about romance and philosophy. “There has to be ‘ras’ in my songs. I believe love is about being true to yourself and your partner. Not hurting people,” she says. So how come Bollywood hasn’t fallen prey to her singing charms yet? As it turns out, the Hindi film world has yet to wake up to her talent. Indira herself is keen. “Why not? I am most willing,” says the savvy crooner.
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